The route
Western Europe · 2,463 km · 30h 59m driving
Day-by-day itinerary
2,463 km · 30h 59m driving · round trip · 2 travelers
1
Days 1–3
Paris · FranceArt, cafés and the Eiffel Tower.
3 nights · stays from $90/night · Things to do in Paris →
drive·4h 18m·344 km est·$38–$81
2
Day 4
Brussels · BelgiumGrand-Place, waffles and the EU quarter.
1 night · stays from $80/night · Things to do in Brussels →
drive·2h 54m·225 km est·$25–$57
3
Days 5–6
Amsterdam · NetherlandsCanals, bikes and Golden-Age art.
2 nights · stays from $95/night · Things to do in Amsterdam →
drive·3h 31m·278 km est·$31–$68
4
Day 7
Cologne · GermanyGothic cathedral on the Rhine.
1 night · stays from $80/night · Things to do in Cologne →
drive·2h 35m·198 km est·$22–$52
Don't miss: Rhine Valley (Rüdesheim)
5
Day 8
Frankfurt · GermanySkyline finance hub and museums.
1 night · stays from $90/night · Things to do in Frankfurt →
drive·4h 54m·395 km est·$43–$91
Don't miss: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
6
Days 9–10
Munich · GermanyBeer halls and Alpine gateway.
2 nights · stays from $95/night · Things to do in Munich →
drive·3h 58m·316 km est·$35–$75
7
Day 11
Zurich · SwitzerlandLakeside city, Alps on the doorstep.
1 night · stays from $140/night · Things to do in Zurich →
drive·2h 30m·191 km est·$21–$50
8
Day 12
Strasbourg · FranceHalf-timbered Franco-German charm.
1 night · stays from $80/night · Things to do in Strasbourg →
back to Paris·6h 19m·516 km est·$57–$115long drive
Know before you drive
Drive on the
right side
Transmission
Most rental cars are manual (stick shift), automatics cost more and sell out, so book early
Car for your group
compact car, A compact car is plenty
Tolls & vignettes
Germany's autobahns are toll-free; France charges motorway tolls; Switzerland & Austria need a vignette sticker
Money
Euro (€), except Switzerland, which uses the Swiss franc (CHF)
Driving licence
Non-EU drivers should carry an IDP with their home licence
Minimum age
Rentals are usually 21+; drivers under 25 pay a young-driver fee (~$15–30/day)
Deposit
You need a credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit
Best season
Year-round; Alpine passes seasonal (Jun–Oct)
Good to know
Switzerland's vignette is annual-only (CHF 40); Austria sells 10-day & 2-month ones, buy before the border. Watch city low-emission zones
When to go
Best months: May–Sep
Summer
Warm 20–28°C, Alpine passes open
Winter
Cold, Alpine snow (winter tyres/chains)
Spring & autumn
Spring blossom & autumn colour
What to pack
Western Europe essentials
- Layers for changeable weather
- Type C/F plug adapter
- Coins/card for parking & toilets
- Light rain jacket
Backpacker extras
- Packing cubes & a padlock for hostels
- Quick-dry towel
- Power bank
Driving documents
- Driving licence + International Driving Permit
- Credit card for the car deposit
- Phone mount & car charger
Plan your own road trip in 30 seconds
Pick a country or region, tell us your days, and we map a drivable route with scenic stops and an honest split cost.
Start planning freeItinerary planned on jetlygo.com · https://jetlygo.com/road-trips/western-europe-grand-drive-13-day-self-drive-itinerary-hwahj